Council Meeting Prep
Monday I attempted to contact each council member to hear of any concerns about the upcoming regular meeting agenda. There were questions about some of the consent agenda items but no concerns.
Manager One-On-One
Monday evening, I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Topics included expanding the social district downtown, rezonings, and prioritizing capital projects.
Ivey-Ellington House Tour
Tuesday, I joined council member Smith on a tour of the newly renovated Ivey-Ellington House. I was amazed at the restoration and how attention was paid to the littlest details. Surprisingly the original floors, stair railing, and much of the interior was kept as original.
One interesting feature was a signature hidden in the walls from one of the plaster workers who was 19 at the time. It was dated back in the 1880s. Unfortunately, that young man died two years later.
Soon the public will be able to enjoy Cary’s newest historic downtown treasures.
Here is what Friends of the Page Walker say about the Ivey-Ellington House:
“…
The Ivey-Ellington House was one of four Cary properties individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This distinction is granted to properties that have a unique historic and architectural character and are deemed worthy of preservation for their significance to the cultural heritage of the nation.
…
Located near the former Raleigh and Chatham Railroad and constructed in the 1870’s, the Ivey-Ellington House demonstrates the diffusion of styles and ideas from urban to rural areas. It exemplifies national trends in housing reform and the popularity of architectural pattern books in the late nineteenth century.
…”
Though it was moved from its original location on Chatham Street to Academy Street in early 2023, it regained its National Register status at its new location.
Cary Downtown Park staff will be housed in the newly renovated structure that can hold up to 20 employees. They will be moving their offices there in the coming weeks. There will be a ribbon cutting event on May 18th and it will be open to the public at that time.
Council Work Session
On Tuesday evening the council held a work session to begin going through the 193 capital projects that have been categorized as continue or a stop. These decisions will not only impact this fiscal year but the upcoming fiscal years. We will continue this process at the April 10th work session.
Mural Unveiling at Koka Booth Amphitheater
Wednesday midday I joined council member Kohn-Johnson in the unveiling of a mural at Koka Booth Amphitheater to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
The 25-year-old amphitheater was designed by William Rawn Associates of Boston. It is and has been a gathering place for Cary that blends with the natural beauty of Symphony Lake and its surrounding landscape. It is truly one of Cary’s greatest landmarks.
The mural was created by Sean Kernick and is known as a “Visual Translator”. That is, it mirrors both the natural beauty of the site with the vibrant energy of events that have taken place over the years. Next time you are at Booth Amphitheater make sure to check it out.
State of Cary at Carolina Preserve
Wednesday, I presented the State of Cary address to the residents at Carolina Preserve. There were about 200 attending in person and online. I was joined by district representative Bansal and at-large representative Bush. After the presentation we answered questions from the group. Since Carolina Preserve is mostly in Chatham County and Chatham County had a re-evaluation of property this year, most of their questions were related to property re-evaluation and the tax rate. After answering questions for about 30 minutes. I stayed another 30 minutes to answer questions from individuals.
Cary Water Resources 2024
Council members were provided with a report on our Water and Wastewater infrastructure on Thursday. Based on my understanding, we will continue to have capacity in both for the coming years. One interesting note is that per person daily consumption has gone from 72 gallons in 2002 to 49 gallons today. We must continue to conserve this valuable natural resource.
Council Meeting
The Cary Town Council held its last regularly scheduled meeting of March on Thursday. The agenda included 11 consent items, 3 public hearings, and 2 discussion items. Before the main part of the agenda there was a presentation from the CAP (Citizens Assisting Police). It represented all the hours volunteers performed saving police officer time. Our CAP team is one of three programs in North Carolina recognized by Volunteers in Police Service, a national initiative begun in 2002 as part of the USA Freedom Corps. CAP Team members provide a valuable service to the community by donating thousands of volunteer hours per year; providing assistance at public events, child safety seat installations, performing clerical duties and service center staffing, and promoting Community Watch programs.
The consent agenda included minutes, a rezoning at High House and Bayoak for single family housing, disposal sale of surplus property, an annexation and rezoning at Batchelor and Knotty Oaks for single family housing, the Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy, a budget amendment for the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization, and a schedule adjustment. These were all approved unanimously.
The first public hearing was for an annexation on Davis Drive because of a well failure. This was unanimously approved. The next two public hearings were for an annexation and rezoning related to a proposal on Barbee Road for single family housing. There were several speakers in opposition. Complaints included a smell from the pump station, storm runoff concerns, traffic, and loss of rural character. This will come back to the council in a few months for a vote after it is reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Board.
The first discussion item was for a $1.859 million bid award to construct traffic signals at Bond Park and High House and at Evans and Weston. The council discussed the future restrictions leaving Bond Park from the senior center that would only allow right turns. In addition, the price tag was hundreds of thousands of dollars from past traffic signals. Just one example of the skyrocketing inflation we are seeing for town projects. The council approved this item unanimously.
The last discussion item was to repair the dams at Twin Lakes. The price tag for this project was $4.432 million. There really wasn’t much of a choice in this matter, other than letting the dam fail, so it was approved unanimously.
NC Metro Mayors
Friday I participated in a meeting of the North Carolina Metro Mayors. Here is a summary of that meeting from their executive:
With the Senate’s public bill filing coming on Tuesday (March 25), this week’s Coalition call focused on many recently filed Senate bills. Over the coming week, the lobbying team will continue to review these bills and their next steps, as well as the forthcoming House bills, with their public bill filing coming next Thursday (April 3).
The Coalition’s lobbying team and the NCLM Government Affairs team discussed multiple bills that align with the Coalition’s priority areas. Those bills included the following:
Senate Bill 394 “Prohibit Foreign Ownership of NC Land”
Senate Bill 493 “Land Use Clarification and Changes”
Senate Bill 504/House Bill 133 “NC Farmland and Military Protection Act”
Senate Bill 587 “Clarify Nonconforming Uses”
Senate Bill 688 “Local Government Land Use Reform”
Senate Bill 713 “Limit Local Gov’t Environmental Rqmt’s”
The majority of these bills have yet to be assigned to a committee, so we will continue to monitor their progress and provide updates as they become available.
Senate Bill 493 “Land Use Clarification and Changes”, filed by Senator Michael Lee, has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee and is likely to have its first hearing next week. As discussed, this bill proposes to end all municipal extraterritorial jurisdiction, and while it has been filed before, it is extremely concerning. Please communicate the importance of ETJs to your municipality and those across the state to your members of the House and Senate.
We also discussed Senate Bill 587 “Clarify Nonconforming Uses” which was developed in consultation with NCLM, city and county attorneys, and members of the Senate staff. Please circulate the language to your city attorneys and planning departments and let us know if they have any feedback.
Gen Korean BBQ Grand Opening
Saturday I joined council member Smith in the Ribbon Cutting for the Gen Korean BBQ restaurant in Crossroads. Their menu consists of freshly prepared meats, seafood, vegetables, and traditional Korean banchan. Gen Korean BBQ is located across America and Internationally. This was their first location in North Carolina.
Speakers at the event included their representative from the national office, me, the NC Secretary of State, and a representative from NC State. Free food was offered to the first 100 people and door prizes were also given away.
Hum Sub Basant Bahar
Sunday I joined council members Bansal and Bush at a celebration of Basant Bahar at the Cary Arts Center. Also in attending were Mayor Cawley and council member Rao of Morrisville. Here is a segment of my remarks:
“…
Basant Bahar does more than bring the colors, music, and traditions of India to Cary. It is a powerful expression of the unity and diversity that we embrace here in Cary. By celebrating our diverse backgrounds together, we pave the way for a more inclusive and united future.
…”
Town Manager’s Report
Sean’s Message
I hope you enjoy reading this week’s report. Have a great weekend!
Sean
Email Correspondence
Email Exchange – Re: Parking Inquiry – First United Methodist Church
Council Tours Ivey-Ellington
Over the last week, Councilmembers visited the Ivey-Ellington House to view the renovations of this historic structure. Staff guided them through the home, answering questions and pointing out key aspects of the renovation work. The completion of the rehabilitation work will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony and public open house on May 18.
CAP Presentation
At last night’s Council meeting, Cary was presented with a check representing the amount of money saved through volunteer hours from Citizens Assisting Police (CAP). Robin Lane, the CAP Volunteer of the Year, along with Howard Singer, participated in the presentation to the Mayor and Councilmembers.
State of Cary at Carolina Preserve
On Wednesday, Mayor Weinbrecht presented the State of Cary address at Carolina Preserve in a hybrid format, attended by over 200 people. Council members Sarika Bansal and Lori Bush were also present, participating in a question-and-answer session following the presentation.
Koka Booth Amphitheater’s 25th Anniversary Mural
On Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Weinbrecht and Councilmember Kohn-Johnson joined staff and media for the ceremonial unveiling of a new mural at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, celebrating its 25th anniversary season. The mayor reflected on the amphitheater’s history and its diverse programming. Councilmember Kohn-Johnson highlighted the impact of public art in shaping both the physical and social landscape, thanked the Public Art Advisory Board for its ongoing efforts, and recognized muralist Sean Kernick, who attended the unveiling.
NC Courage Kick Off 2025 Season
On Saturday, the NC Courage kicked off their 2025 season at WakeMed Soccer Park, drawing a record crowd of 8,158 fans for their match against the Seattle Reign. After the game, Mayor Weinbrecht and the Courage honored former player Jessica McDonald for her pivotal role in the team’s success, including three NWSL Shields, two Championships, and an International Women’s Champions Cup title. McDonald was inducted into the NC Courage Ring of Honor as the second member, with the mayor presenting a proclamation in her honor.
PRCR System and Bike Plan Open House
On Tuesday, staff held two open house sessions to present the draft Bike Plan and Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources (PRCR) System Plan. Over 60 citizens attended, explored the exhibits, and shared valuable feedback on their priorities and perspectives. The online survey and feedback form will remain open through April 15.
Celebrating Forests at Cary’s Arbor Day
Last Saturday, Councilmember Michelle Craig accepted Cary’s award from the Arbor Day Foundation, recognizing 42 years as a Tree City USA community. This distinction reflects Cary’s ongoing commitment to forestry management. More than 800 guests participated in environmental education, nature engagement, and community-building activities. As part of the My Tree, Our Tree giveaway event, staff distributed over 350 native trees to support the growth of the town’s urban forests.
Academy Street Maintenance
Public Works crews will power wash the brick crosswalks along Academy Street this Sunday evening. The work should be completed by Monday morning, with intermittent lane closures during the process.
Count Me In, Cary!
At their recent meeting, the Cary Town Council unanimously approved Count Me In, Cary! Stewardship Strategies for a Sustainable Future. To keep the community informed and engaged, staff launched a new Sustainability Dashboard , highlighting Cary’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. The dashboard outlines community-defined visions, goals, and actions across six key focus areas: Energy, Transportation & Mobility, Water Infrastructure, Natural Resources, Solid Waste, and Community. As implementation begins, staff looks forward to building momentum through events, media outreach, and collaboration with new and existing partners— fostering community support and encouraging participation in Cary’s sustainability efforts.
Cary Rotary Club Staff Visit
On Tuesday, Business Services Manager Bryan Hayes and Assistant Director of Special Projects Ryan Eades visited the Cary Rotary Club at MacGregor, where Bryan presented the latest technologies used in Cary’s Traffic Management Center. He highlighted advancements such as Connected Vehicle technology, LiDAR, and radar detection, explaining how these innovations are improving traffic efficiency for Cary residents.
School Flasher Beacons Installed
Public Works and Transportation collaborated to upgrade 28 school flasher beacons in front of nine different schools around Cary to enhance connected vehicle performance and support the integration of new technologies within our traffic signal system. These beacons will improve communication between vehicles and traffic infrastructure, helping to better manage school zone traffic.
Lieutenant Brame Honored
On Monday evening, the Exchange Clubs of Wake County honored Lieutenant Bryant Brame at their annual Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet. With over 26 years of service, Lieutenant Brame has played a key role in shaping policies and best practices to combat impaired driving. As a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Instructor, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing Instructor, and member of North Carolina’s Technical Advisory Committee on Impaired Driving, he has trained more than 2,000 students in detecting and apprehending impaired drivers. Join us in congratulating Lieutenant Brame for his dedication to keeping North Carolina’s roadways safe.
Inclusive Playground Series
On Saturday, the Specialized Recreation & Inclusion team kicked off the Inclusive Playground Series at Marla Dorrel Park. This fun-filled initiative, in partnership with neighboring municipalities Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Apex, shines spotlight on playgrounds designed to be universally accessible, ensuring every child, regardless of ability, can join in the fun. More than 100 families gathered for an unforgettable day of play.
Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting – April 2
The following Neighborhood Meetings will be held on Wednesday, April 2, at 6:30 p.m.
For more information and to register visit the Virtual Neighborhood Rezoning Meeting page.
Upcoming Meetings
Human Relations, Inclusion, and Diversity Advisory Board
Tuesday, April 1
6:00 p.m.
Mayor’s Mailbox
- Complaints about the Waverly rezoning proposal.
- A complaint that Realtor’s Open Houses should be stopped because “Dangers include welcoming criminals…”
- A request to include additional money in the budget for the removal of invasive plants.
- A complaint about the staff’s presentation to the Planning and Zoning board.
- A complaint about the town’s partnership with Fenton.
Next Week
Next week’s activities include staff meetings, an interview with Jackson Robol, an event with the Cary Tennis Classic, a meeting of the Human Relations Inclusion and Diversity Advisory Board, a State of Cary address at Cary Newcomers, a ribbon cutting for a new autism learning center, a meeting of the NC Metro Mayors, PPA Pickleball Tournament activities, and a Founders Day event.
Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 6th, 2025. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts, those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.
Harold's Blog 